Method and apparatus for a wearable computer

ABSTRACT

A wearable computer system includes a processing unit ( 102 ) and a number of peripherals. The processing unit and peripherals are coupled in a daisy-chain fashion utilizing a serial bus ( 120 ). The processing unit has a single connector for implementing the serial bus, and peripherals each have two connectors for propagating the serial bus. The wearable computer system has only one unused connector at any one time, thereby reducing excess bulk and weight due to excessive unused connectors. When a peripheral interrupts the processing unit, the processing unit relinquishes the serial bus to the interrupting peripheral. Alternatively, peripherals are assigned time slots within which the peripherals can utilize the serial bus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computer systems and, inparticular, to wearable computer systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As computers decrease in size, new applications for smaller computersbecome possible. “Wearable” computers are one such application. Wearablecomputers are computers that can be worn by a human to perform a varietyof tasks. Many different applications for wearable computers exist, eachdiffering slightly.

Some applications for wearable computers, such as military applicationswherein soldiers wear computers on the battlefield, are particularlydemanding. Soldiers are required to carry an increasing amount ofequipment as the battlefield becomes more electronic Its is essentialthat the size and weight of computer carried by soldier is kept down tomaintain his mobility.

A common approach to developing wearable computers is to house anindustry standard personal computer (PC) such that it can be worn on aperson's body. One drawback to using industry standard PCs for wearablecomputers arises from the number of connections typically employedbetween peripherals and computers. When an industry standard PC is thebasis for a wearable computer, multiple peripheral connectors aretypically left open for expansion. For example, a single disk drive mayexist in a PC system having connectors for multiple disk drives, andparallel ports or serial ports may be left unused. This can result inunnecessary bulk and weight in the form of unused connectors and cables.

In military applications, where connectors are generally made morerobust to handle harsh environments, the problems of extra bulk andweight become more acute. What are needed are an alternate method andapparatus for providing a wearable computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.However, a more complete understanding of the present invention may bederived by referring to the detailed description and claims whenconsidered in connection with the figures, wherein like referencenumbers refer to similar items throughout the figures, and:

FIG. 1 shows a wearable computer system in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows interconnected peripherals in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a computer peripheral in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention; Note! A single physical channel canbe logically segmented for control/data/interrupt.

FIG. 4 shows time slots in accordance with an alternate embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a packet in accordance with an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for coupling computer peripherals to aprocessing unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for providing communications on aserial bus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for providing communications on aserial bus in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

The method and apparatus of the present invention provide a lightweightexpandable computer architecture without the extra bulk and weightassociated with unused connectors and cables. The wearable computer hasa processing unit and a number of peripherals interconnected with asingle serial bus. Each peripheral preferably has two connectors suchthat peripherals can be daisy-chained, leaving a single connector unusedat any one time. In one embodiment, when a peripheral requests servicefrom the processing unit, the peripheral interrupts the processing unitand presents an identification word on a control bus. The processingunit has driver software that services the interrupt and communicateswith the interrupting peripheral. In another embodiment, the serial busis time-shared. Each peripheral is assigned a time slot in which theperipheral can communicate. During an assigned time slot, a peripheralcan communicate with the processing unit, one or more other peripherals,or both.

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicatecorresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is firstdirected to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a wearable computer system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Wearable computer system 100 includes processing system 102 which iscoupled to a number of peripheral devices via serial bus 120. Processingunit 102 includes serial device driver 104, system RAM 106, system flashmemory 108, and central processing unit (CPU) 110, all coupled by bus112. In alternate embodiments, wearable computer system 100 includesmultiples of processing units, CPUs, and other components.

CPU 110 includes a microprocessor, digital signal processor, or thelike. CPU 110 executes instructions stored in system RAM 106 and systemflash memory 108. Serial device driver 104 is preferably a device driverutilizing a well-defined device driver interface available in modernoperating systems such as Unix and Windows NT. Serial device driver 104preferably includes a single hardware interrupt service routine thatservices interrupts from all of the peripherals on serial bus 120.

Processing unit 102 is coupled to peripherals using serial bus 120.Peripherals include mouse 130, keyboard 132, microphone/earphone 134,touch screen 136, and global positioning system (GPS) 138. Peripheralsalso include radio one 146, radio two 144, flash disk 142, magnetic disk140, infrared camera 148, video camera 150, video graphics adapter (VGA)display 152, and liquid crystal display (LCD) display 154. Theperipherals shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary, and other types ofperipherals can be coupled to processing unit 102 while practicing thepresent invention.

Processing unit 102 preferably has a single serial connector forconnecting peripherals to serial bus 120. Each peripheral connected toserial bus 120 preferably has two connectors. When a peripheral isconnected to processing unit 102 on serial bus 120, one of theconnectors on the peripheral is connected to the open connector onprocessing unit 102. The other connector on the peripheral becomes theopen connector. Multiple peripherals are added in this manner resultingin a daisy-chain of peripherals on serial bus 120. This is described inmore detail with reference to FIG. 2 below.

Serial bus 120 is preferably a medium speed serial communication linkthat supports peripherals having low data rates and low duty cycles. Forexample, mouse 130 and keyboard 132 generally produce very low datarates, and serial bus 120, when servicing mouse 130 and keyboard 132,operates at a data rate sufficient for support of the peripherals, butnot so high as to waste power.

Serial bus 120 preferably includes a serial data channel, an interruptline, and a control bus. The structure of serial bus 120 is described infurther detail with reference to FIG. 3 below. The architecture ofwearable computer system 100 allows peripherals to communicate withprocessing unit 102, or request control of serial bus 120 so that theycan communicate with other peripherals. For example, any of theperipheral devices can assert the interrupt line to processing unit 102and request control of serial bus 120. Interrupts to processing unit 102are preferably processed by a single interrupt service routine handledby serial device driver 104. When a peripheral device gains control ofserial bus 120, the peripheral device can send data to processing unit102 or to any other peripheral on serial bus 120.

Each peripheral on serial bus 120 can communicate with processing unit102 and a known set of peripherals on serial bus 120. Each peripheralgains knowledge of the peripherals with which it can communicate whenprocessing unit 102 distributes a route map. Route maps are preferablygenerated when processing unit 102 has power applied, or when aperipheral is added.

Upon power up, or when a peripheral is added, processing unit 102determines the number and type of peripherals connected. Processing unit102 generates a route map based on the capabilities and functionality ofthe different peripherals. The route map specifies which peripherals canreceive data when a specific peripheral takes control of the bus. Forexample, a peripheral such as a microphone can send data to manypossible peripherals, including a radio, a memory, a processing unit, orother peripheral that stores or otherwise uses data from a microphone.After processing unit 102 generates the route map, the route map isdistributed to the peripherals so that each peripheral has informationregarding valid routes for data.

Table 1 shows an exemplary route map for four peripherals: a mouse, akeyboard, a radio, and a microphone/earphone. For each peripheral, anumber of valid routes are described. For example, the mouse has threevalid routes. The mouse can route cursor movements to the displaycontroller, or it can send left or right button press information withcursor coordinates to the CPU. Also for example, radio one can senddigitized audio to an earphone or to another radio, and it can sendpacket and command data to processing unit 102 and flash drive 142.

After processing unit distributes the route map, each peripheralincludes the portion of the route map corresponding to valid routes fordata originating from that peripheral. For example, the mouse has aroute map that includes routes one through three under the heading“Mouse” in Table 1. Likewise, the keyboard has a route map that includesroutes one through sixteen under the heading “Keyboard” in Table 1.

In operation, when a peripheral desires to send data, it asserts aninterrupt to processing unit 102. Processing unit 102 then relinquishescontrol of serial bus 120, and the peripheral can send data to any validperipheral as identified by the route map. For example, if a computeruser speaks into microphone/earphone 134 for the purpose of transmittingvoice data from radio one 146, microphone/earphone 134 interruptsprocessing unit 102, and it then sends data packets on serial bus 120 toradio one 146.

Data packets sent by peripherals onto serial bus 120 include routeinformation and data. Other peripherals listen to the serial bus, andwhen a packet includes route information intended for one of the otherperipherals, it receives the data.

TABLE 1 Route Map Mouse Route 1 Cursor movements are sent to a displaycontroller Route 2 Left button presses and cursor coordinates are sentto the CPU Route 3 Right button presses and cursor coordinates are sentto the CPU Keyboard Route 1 Alphanumeric key presses are sent to thedisplay controller Route 2 Alt-Enter-Del key presses are sent at a highpriority to the CPU Route 3 Break key presses are sent at a highpriority to the CPU Route 4 Enter key presses are sent to the displaycontroller and the CPU Route 5-16 F1-F12 key presses are sent to the CPURadio 1 Route 1 Digitized audio output is sent to the earphone Route 2Digitized audio output is sent to Radio 2 for retransmission Route 3Packet data is sent to the CPU Route 4 Packet data is sent to the CPUand the flash drive Route 5 Command data is sent to the CPUMicrophone/Earphone Route 1 Digitized audio using algorithm A is sent toRadio 1 Route 2 Digitized audio using algorithm B is sent to the CPU forspeech recognition Route 3 Digitized audio using algorithm B is sent tothe flash drive and to the CPU for speech recognition.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a single serial bus 120interconnecting all peripherals and processing unit 102. Becausecommunication with a display device such as VGA display 152 can utilizea great deal of bandwidth, in a preferred embodiment only a portion ofthe display is updated at any one time. This reduces the data rate sothat the display can be effectively updated while sharing serial bus 120with other peripherals. In another embodiment, multiple serial buses areused. For example, higher bandwidth devices such as VGA display 152 andvideo camera 150 can be interconnected on a separate serial bus with aslightly higher data rate. This alternate embodiment can be advantageousin part because slower devices can still operate on a slower serial bus,thereby saving power.

FIG. 2 shows interconnected peripherals in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. Computer system 200 includesprocessing unit 202 interconnected with peripheral devices 212 and 222.Processing unit 202 is coupled to connector 206 with cable 204. Cable204 preferably includes a serial bus such as serial bus 120 (FIG. 1).Connector 206 accepts cable 204 and presents the serial bus so that amating connector may receive it.

Peripheral device 212 can be any peripheral device capable of operatingon a serial bus such as serial bus 120 (FIG. 1). For example, peripheraldevice 212 can be any peripheral device shown in FIG. 1, or any otherperipheral device suitable for connection to processing unit 202.Peripheral device 212 is coupled to connector 208 via cable 210.Connector 208 is adapted to mate with connector 206, thereby acceptingsignals from cable 204 onto cable 210. Peripheral device 212 is alsocoupled to connector 216 via cable 214.

Peripheral device 222, like peripheral device 212, is coupled to twoconnectors with cables. Peripheral device 222 is coupled to connector218 with cable 220, and it is also coupled to connector 226 with cable224. Peripheral device 222, like peripheral device 212, represents anyof the peripheral devices shown in FIG. 1, or any other peripheralsuitable for connecting to processing unit 202.

As shown in FIG. 2, computer system 200 includes a processing unit andmultiple peripheral devices coupled to the processing unit in adaisy-chain fashion such that efficient use of connectors and cables ismade. For example, when processing unit 202 exists alone withoutperipheral devices connected thereto, computer system 200 includesprocessing unit 202, cable 204, and connector 206. In this embodiment,connector 206 is the sole unused connector, and cable 204 is the solecable in support of unused connectors. When a single peripheral device(peripheral device 212) is coupled to processing unit 202, the sole openconnector (connector 206) is mated to a mating connector (connector208), and connector 216 becomes the sole open connector. As additionalperipheral devices such as peripheral device 222 are added indaisy-chain fashion, computer system 200 continues to have a singleunused connector and a single cable in support of unused connectors.

The daisy-chain structure of computer system 200 is advantageous in partbecause a single unused connector and a single unused cable in supportof unused connectors exist at any one time regardless of the number ofperipheral devices connected to the processing unit. When a small numberof peripheral devices exist, there is not a large number of unusedconnectors contributing to unnecessary bulk and weight.

FIG. 3 shows a computer peripheral in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. Computer peripheral 300 includesperipheral device 302, connector 310, and connector 312. Connector 310accepts cabling including serial data channel 304, interrupt line 306,and control bus 308. Connector 312 also accepts the same signals.Peripheral device 302 is coupled to serial data channel 304, interruptline 306, and control bus 308. Peripheral device 302 can be anyperipheral device suitable for interconnection with a processing unit.For example, peripheral device 302 can be peripheral device 212 (FIG.2). When peripheral device 302 is peripheral device 212, connector 310can be connector 208, and connector 312 can be connector 216.

Serial data channel 304 can include a single wire or multiple wires.Alternatively, other single or multi-path channel can be used such asfiber optic cable. Multiple wires can be advantageous for the purpose ofhand-shaking and status. Interrupt line 306 can include any number ofwires, but preferably includes a single wire so that a single interruptis presented to the processing unit. The processing unit can then handleall interrupts with a single interrupt service routine. Control bus 308includes a number of wires sufficient to uniquely identify eachperipheral coupled thereto. Each peripheral device is assigned anidentification (ID) word to be presented on control bus 308 wheninterrupting the processing unit. Control bus 308 also advantageouslyincludes other control lines, such as status lines from a processingunit that enable connected peripheral devices to ascertain the status ofthe processor.

When peripheral device 302 needs service from a processing unit,peripheral device 302 asserts a signal on interrupt line 306. Peripheraldevice 302 also asserts an ID word onto control bus 308. The processingunit services the interrupt asserted on interrupt line 306, reads the IDword on control bus 308, and relinquishes control of serial data channel304 to peripheral device 302. After peripheral device 302 has control ofserial data channel 304, peripheral device 302 can send packets to aprocessing unit or to other peripherals listed in a route map maintainedwithin peripheral device 302.

Computer peripheral 300 is advantageous in part because peripheraldevice 302 can be coupled to a computer system in a daisy-chain fashion,thereby allowing additional peripherals to be connected to the computersystem while maintaining a single open connector. Also, computerperipheral 300 is advantageous in part because peripheral device 302shares serial bus 304 with other peripherals, thereby saving systempower.

Wearable computer systems have been described thus far as computersystems having peripherals that interrupt a processing unit for controlof a serial bus. In an alternate embodiment, each peripheral is assigneda time slot within which to broadcast packets on the serial bus. Thisallows peripherals to communicate with a processing unit or with otherperipherals without asserting an interrupt.

FIG. 4 shows time slots in accordance with an alternate embodiment ofthe present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, time period 420 isdivided into multiple time slots. Time period 420 is shown divided intotime slots represented as time slots 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412.The number of time slots can be equal to the number of peripherals, andit can also be equal to a number greater than the number of peripherals.When the number of time slots is equal to the number of peripherals,each peripheral is assigned a separate time slot within which tooperate. To increase available bandwidth for peripherals having higherdata rates, time period 420 can be divided into a number of time slotsgreater than the number of peripherals, and peripherals with higher datarates can be assigned multiple time slots. For example, keyboard 132(FIG. 1) is generally assigned a single time slot because of the lowdata rate associated with keyboard use. Video camera 150 (FIG. 1) can beassigned multiple time slots to accommodate the higher data ratenormally associated with video cameras.

When one peripheral is communicating during its time slot, theprocessing unit and other peripherals can monitor the serial bus. Forexample, the keyboard can send information on the serial bus during itstime slot, and that information can be accepted by peripheralsmonitoring the serial bus, such as the processing unit and displaydevice.

FIG. 5 shows a packet in accordance with an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention. Each peripheral, during its assigned time slot,broadcasts packets of information on a serial bus such as serial datachannel 304 (FIG. 3) or serial bus 120 (FIG. 1). Packet 500 includesdestination field 502 and data field 504. Destination field 502generally includes route information from a route map provided to aperipheral from a processing unit. Destination field 502 can includeroute information that routes packet 500 to multiple destinations. Datafield 504 includes data being sent to the destination specified indestination field 502.

The alternate embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 isadvantageous in part because different amounts of bandwidth can beallocated to different peripherals simply by different numbers of timeslots to different peripherals. The alternate embodiment of FIGS. 4 and5 is not mutually exclusive with the embodiments discussed previously.For example, the use of interrupt line 306 (FIG. 3) can advantageouslybe combined with the implementation of time slots, thereby creating apriority scheme, wherein a peripheral device interrupting a processorcan take priority over a peripheral operating within its assigned timeslot. This invention also consider that both method could co-exist inthe same system. Whereas (FIG. 3) could be used in a low power standbystate and (FIG. 5) could be used during alert mode to provide maximumsystem performance with fair access.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for coupling computer peripherals to aprocessing unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Method 600 begins in step 610 when a processing unit havingan open connector is attached to a person's body. The processing unit ofstep 610 can be a processing unit such as processing unit 102 (FIG. 1),or processing unit 202 (FIG. 2). In step 620, a computer peripheral isattached to the person's body. In step 630, a first connector on thecomputer peripheral is coupled to the open connector. When the firstperipheral is coupled, the open connector being utilized is the openconnector on the processing unit of step 610. A second connector on thecomputer peripheral is then designated as the open connector.

In decision block 640, a determination is made whether more computerperipherals are to be attached. If no more computer peripherals are tobe attached, method 600 ends. If more computer peripherals are to beattached, method 600 continues with step 620. In step 620, the computerperipheral to be attached is attached to the person's body. In step 630,a first connector on the computer peripheral is coupled to the openconnector, which is now a connector on a previously coupled computerperipheral. A second connector on the computer peripheral is thendesignated as the open connector. Method 600 again passes throughdecision block 640 where a determination is made if more computerperipherals are to be attached. The loop including steps 620 and 630,and decision block 640 is traversed for each subsequent peripheral to beattached to the processing unit.

Method 600 can be advantageously applied to computer systems such aswearable computer system 100, and computer system 200. Any number ofcomputer peripherals can be coupled to a processing unit utilizingmethod 600 without leaving more than one unused connector. This reducesthe bulk and weight associated with unused cables and connectors.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for providing communications on aserial bus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Method 700 begins with step 710 when an interrupt line isasserted to create an interrupt request. In step 720, an ID word isasserted onto a control bus. The ID word asserted onto the control busidentifies a peripheral that asserted an interrupt in step 710.

In step 730, the interrupt request is serviced with a single interruptservice routine. The single interrupt service routine is preferablyincluded within a serial device driver such as serial device driver 104(FIG. 1). In step 740, control of a serial bus is granted to theperipheral creating the interrupt request. In step 750, the peripheralwith control of the serial bus sends serial data to a processing unitand to a second peripheral. One skilled in the art will understand thatin step 750, the peripheral with control of the serial bus can send datato either of a processing unit or a second peripheral without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

Method 700 can be advantageously utilized in a wearable computer systemsuch as wearable computer system 100 (FIG. 1) in part because one ofmany peripherals can be in control of a serial bus such as serial bus120, and it can communicate with other peripherals and a processingunit. For example, referring now to FIG. 1, keyboard 132 can gaincontrol of serial bus 120 utilizing method 700 and advantageously senddata simultaneously to processing unit 102 and VGA display 152. Once aperipheral has gained control of the serial bus, it is able to send datato other devices without routing the data through processing unit 102.This allows peripherals to communicate directly to other peripheralswhile processing unit 102 can handle other tasks. Method 700advantageously saves system power by allowing slower peripherals tocommunicate without causing processing unit 102 to consume powertransferring data.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for providing communications on aserial bus in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention. Method 800 begins in step 810 when a time period is dividedinto a plurality of time slots. The time slots resulting from step 810can be time slots resulting from the division of time period 420 asshown in FIG. 4. In step 820, each of the time slots is assigned to aperipheral such that each of the peripherals has at least one time slotassigned thereto.

In step 830, a list of time slots and time slot assignments isdistributed to the peripherals. Step 830 can be performed at any time,but is preferably performed as part of a power up initializationsequence, or whenever a peripheral is added to a computer system.

In step 840, each peripheral broadcasts at least one packet on theserial bus during each of the time slots assigned thereto. If aperipheral is assigned multiple time slots, then that peripheral hasaccess to greater bandwidth than peripherals assigned fewer time slots.This can be advantageous when supporting peripherals that benefit fromgreater bandwidth, such as video camera 150 (FIG. 1) or magnetic disk140 (FIG. 1).

In summary, the method and apparatus of the present invention provides acomputer system having peripherals interconnected with a serial bus.While we have shown and described specific embodiments of the presentinvention, further modifications and improvements will occur to thoseskilled in the art. For example, while the method and apparatus of thepresent invention have been described with reference to a militaryapplication for a wearable computer, the method and apparatus of thepresent invention also apply to any application for a lightweightcomputer having daisy-chained peripherals. For example, the method andapparatus of the present invention can be advantageously utilized insmart munitions and missile systems, and computer systems used fortransportation, medical, home, business, educational and personalentertainment applications. We desire it to be understood, therefore,that this invention is not limited to the particular forms shown and weintend in the appended claims to cover all modifications that do notdepart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of coupling a plurality of computerperipherals to a processing unit having a connector designated as anopen connector, the method comprising: providing for a first and secondconnector for each computer peripheral of the plurality of computerperipherals, wherein the plurality of computer peripherals is adapted tobe attached to a person's body; attaching one of the plurality ofcomputer peripherals to the open connector, such that a first connectoron one of the plurality of computer peripherals is coupled to the openconnector, and such that a second connector on the one of the pluralityof computer peripherals becomes the open connector; forming a serialchannel from said processing unit to said one of the computerperipherals through said first connector, wherein said serial channelincludes multiple interrupt lines; and repeating the step of attachingfor each of the plurality of computer peripherals, thereby coupling theprocessing unit and the plurality of computer peripherals in adaisy-chain.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising attaching theprocessing unit and each of the plurality of computer peripherals to theperson's body, thereby coupling the processing unit and the plurality ofcomputer peripherals in a daisy chain on the person' body.
 3. The methodof claim 2 wherein the daisy-chain includes a serial bus and at leastone shared interrupt line, the shared at least one interrupt line beingdirected to the processing unit, and the at least one shared interruptline being assertable by any of the plurality of computer peripherals.4. A wearable computer comprising: a processing unit adapted to be wornon a person's body; and at least one peripheral adapted to be attachedto the person's body, and comprising a first connector and a secondconnector, wherein the least one peripheral is configured to attach tothe processing unit though one of said first and second connector andprovide for a connection to another peripheral by an other of said firstand second connector, thereby coupling the processing unit and at leastone peripheral unit in a daisy-chain on the person's body and to form aserial channel having multiple interrupt lines to the processing unit.5. The wearable computer of claim 4 wherein the first connectorcomprises an interrupt line.
 6. The wearable computer of claim 5 whereinthe processing unit includes one interrupt service routine for servicinginterrupts from the at least one peripheral on the interrupt line. 7.The wearable computer of claim 4 further comprising a control buscoupled between the processing unit and the at least one peripheral,wherein the at least one peripheral is configured to drive the controlbus with an identification word.
 8. The wearable computer of claim 4wherein the first connector comprises a serial bus and wherein the atleast one peripheral broadcasts packets on the serial bus during anassigned time slot.
 9. The wearable computer of claim 4 wherein the atleast one peripheral is from a group comprising a mouse, keyboard,microphone, earphone, touch screen, GPS, radio, flash disk, magneticdisk, infrared camera, video camera, VGA display, and LCD display.
 10. Amethod of coupling a plurality of computer peripherals to a processingunit having an open connector, the method comprising: providing a firstand second connector for each computer peripheral of the plurality ofcomputer peripherals, each computer peripheral adapted to be attached toa person's body; attaching a first connector of a first of saidplurality of computer peripherals to said open connector of saidprocessing unit, such that a second connector of said first peripheralbecomes an open connector adapted to receive a first connector of asecond of said plurality of computer peripherals, thereby coupling theprocessing unit and first computer of said plurality of computerperipherals in a daisy-chain around the person's body, and forming aserial channel having multiple interrupt lines.
 11. The method of claim10 wherein any one of the plurality of peripherals is capable of actingas the first of the plurality of peripherals.
 12. The method of claim 10wherein any one of the plurality of peripherals is capable of acting asthe second of the plurality of peripherals.
 13. The method of claim 10further comprising the step of attaching the first connector of thesecond peripheral to the second connector of the first peripheral, suchthat a second connector of the second peripheral becomes an openconnector adapted to receive a first connector of a third of saidplurality of computer peripherals.
 14. The method of claim 13 whereinany one of the plurality of peripherals is capable of acting as thethird of the plurality of peripherals.
 15. The method of claim 10wherein any of the computer peripherals is from a group comprising amouse, keyboard, microphone, earphone, touch screen, GPS, radio, flashdisk, magnetic disk, infrared camera, video camera, VGA display, and LCDdisplay.
 16. The method of claim 10 wherein the processing unit includesa serial device driver comprising a single interrupt service routinethat services interrupts from all of the plurality of peripherals. 17.The method of claim 10 wherein the processing unit has a single serialconnector for connecting a first of said plurality of peripheralsthereto.
 18. The method of claim 10 wherein a single unused connectorexists at any one time.